The fourth part of naked truth, or, The complaint of the church to some of her sons for breach of her articles in a friendly dialogue between Titus and Timothy, both ministers of the Church of England / by a legal son and since conformist to the Church of England, as established by law.

Article XVI.

Not every deadly Sin willingly committed after Baptism, is Sin against the Holy Ghost, and un∣pardonable. Wherefore the grant of Repentance is not to be denyed to such as fall into Sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into Sin, and by the grace of God (we may) arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be Condemned, which say, they can no more Sin as long as they live here, to deny the place of for∣giveness to such as truly Repent.

Tit.

What think you of this?

Tim.

Sound and good.

Tit.

'Tis so, if understood aright: but by a Sermon you lately Preached at St. B's. Church; I presume, you mistake one Clause of it vilely, either willfully or ignorantly.

Tim.

Which is that?

Tit.

'Tis in these Words, after we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from Grace given, and fall into Sin.

Tim.

Mistake the sense of the Article in this, 'tis not easie, nay, 'tis almost impossible to miss it.

Tit.

Why, what is the sense, say you?

Tim.

That Believers, or such as have received the Spirit of God, and his saving Graces, may fall away.

Tit.

What totally and finally, and perish Everlastingly?

Tim.

Yes, totally and finally, and be Damned.

Tit.

I judged I should find you as sound in this Point, as that Sheep, that shaking her self in a frosty Morning, falls in pieces. That this Article (or our Church in it) doth not intend a total and final Apostacy, is apparent to me, by these Two things.

1. Because she saith not, That such as have received the Holy Ghost, &c. may fall away; but that they may fall into Sin, as David, Peter and others, who Sinned or fell into great and gross Sins after Grace given, yet no final Apostates.

2. Because she saith in this Article, That the grant of Repentance is not to be denyed to such; as it is to be granted, They which thus Sin, after the Reception of the Holy Ghost, and Grace given, may Repent; And by the Grace of God may rise again, and amend their Lives, as the fore∣mentioned Saints and Servants of God, David, and St. Peter did: which no final, total Apostate ever did, or can do. Therefore, it cannot be meant of a final Apostacy, or falling away from Grace.

And therefore if you have taught any such Doctrine, you have Preached down this Arti∣cle, and many plain Texts of Scripture to boot, as They should deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect. Whom he loveth, he loveth to the end. The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance. Kept by the power of God through Faith, unto Salvation. He that be∣lieveth in him shall not be confounded. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called, whom he called, them he also justified, whom he justified, them he also glorified. And many more gracious and infallible promises, assuring us of the stability, and perseverance of true Be∣lievers, of such as have received the Holy Ghost, and Graces thereof.

Tim.

Nay, now we are in indeed, if we are come to Election and Predestination.

Tit.

Yea, and good and proper mediums too, to prove no final apostacy, or falling away from grace; for grant the one, and the other follows. Election and Predestination are inconsistent with a total and final defection. But I hope [Tim] these are not frightfull terms to you, you have heard of them before?

Tim.

Yes, but don't well understand them, Election and Predestination! 'tis nonsense.

Tit.

Such sense as you have subscribed to, and consequently should believe, and main∣tain against all Arminians and other Opposers.

Tim.

I can't imagin any Article of our Church asserts any such thing, so contrary to all reason, as nothing can be more.

Tit.

Yes, this is such an unreasonable Article, and by good luck the very next in course, and so full mouth'd for Election and Predestination, that you'ld think some body spoke it through Calvin's Mouth, or at least that: that wretched, stiff Predestinarian gui∣ded the hand of him that writ it.—Look there, 'tis [Tim.] nay, ne'er start at it: but out with it, like a man of metal.

Notes

• 1 Pet. 2.6. Rom. 8.30.